“I drove here straight from work, over an hour from Manhattan with traffic. I’m looking for Nicole Farnsworth. Know her?”
Macy blinked, surprised. “I do.” She came around the counter and settled onto the stool beside him.
“Where is she staying?” he asked.
She narrowed her gaze. She didn’t know him, and Nicole hadn’t mentioned a man in her life. “Did you say Nicole was your fiancée?”
“Ex.” His eyes hardened at the word.
“Your idea or hers?” she asked boldly, having her reasons.
He pushed back from his seat, surprise in his eyes. “Hers. Now will you tell me where she is?”
Macy eyed him warily, wondering if the handsome devil was telling her the truth. Because if he was, that meant Nicole had dumped this perfect specimen of a man, and that made no sense to her. At. All.
“What’s your name?” Macy asked him.
“Tyler Stanton. Yours?”
“Macy Donovan.”
“I would normally say it’s a pleasure, Ms. Donovan—”
“Macy,” she interjected.
He frowned. “But you’re not helping me out. And I thought small towns were friendly.” His jaw was now working in frustration.
She leaned in close, inhaling the potent scent of his aftershave. Even after a full day, he smelled manly and delicious. God, what a traitor she was, lusting after her new friend’s ex-fiancé.
But no matter how humiliating, she wouldn’t allow her hormones to override her common sense.
“I’m very friendly. In this case I’m protecting my friend. If you leave me a number or hotel information where she can reach you, I’ll give her the message.”
“Ms. Donovan.”
“Macy.”
He worked that sexy jaw once more. “Macy. Don’t you think I’ve called her cell phone more than once before I drove all the way upstate?”
She couldn’t contain her grin. “I think she’s obviously not returning those calls, which means she doesn’t want to talk to you.” And here she thought Nicole was a smart woman.
He scowled at her.
“What? If she wanted to see you, she’d answer your calls. What kind of new friend would I be if I just turned her over to you without making sure that’s what she wanted?”
He ran a hand through his hair, his frustration obvious. “Fine. Tell her I’m in town and I need to see her. Can you please tell me where I can find the nearest hotel?”
“Five-star, or is a bed-and-breakfast okay with you?” Macy couldn’t help teasing him.
“I’m guessing there are no five-star hotels around here.”
She shrugged. “Twenty minutes away. But you look exhausted, and I promise you the Serendipity Inn is clean and the food homemade.” She pulled out her cell phone. “I’ll even call ahead and make sure they have a room available. How’s that for friendly?”
“Works for me.” His gri
n warmed her inside and out.
She made the call and secured him a room. “Tell you what. Eat dinner, then go get a good night’s sleep. Then come back in the morning, breakfast on me. In the meantime, I’ll try to reach Nicole.”